2013 H.S. Football Previews: Three-way battle at QB for New Bedford Whalers

NEW BEDFORD — His offense will line up in the shotgun formation, but just who pulls the trigger remains to be seen.

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By BUDDY THOMAS

southcoasttoday.com

By BUDDY THOMAS

Posted Sep. 6, 2013 at 12:01 AM

By BUDDY THOMAS
Posted Sep. 6, 2013 at 12:01 AM

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NEW BEDFORD — His offense will line up in the shotgun formation, but just who pulls the trigger remains to be seen.

"We have three young men who play the (quarterback) position and we have confidence in all three," Golden said as he continues to prep his Whalers for the season opener next Friday afternoon (4) at Taunton. Returning lettermen Chandler Debrosse and Andrew Rapoza were expected to wage a head-to-head battle for the starting position, but the emergence of "Eli" Conde, last year's starting freshman signal-caller, has made it a three-man race.

"Chandler and Andrew have some varsity experience and both are excellent athletes who handle the ball well and can run," Golden said. "Eli's strength is passing and he's been very impressive in the preseason." All three are underclassmen (Debrosse is a junior and both Rapoza and Conde are sophomores) and versatile enough to play other positions.

"Only one of the three can start at quarterback, but that doesn't mean the other two won't play," Golden said. "All three are good enough athletes to play at some other position and chances are we'll find a spot for them."

Despite his diminutive size (5-7, 150 pounds), the ability to run and carry out his fakes, probably gives Debrosse the starting edge. The durability edge probably goes to Rapoza who, at 6-0, 190 pounds, makes him the biggest of the three and he isn't afraid to run at people. Conde appears to be a stringbean-like, 6-0, 170-pounder with a golden arm.

All three are expected to be defensive contributors as well, Rapoza at the linebacker position; Debrosse and Conde as defensive backs.

"It's a good problem to have," Golden said of the logjam at quarterback. "When you have three excellent athletes who are all capable of starting at the same position you also have to feel good about their chances of contributing at another position and that's what we're looking at here. Like I said, we'll have confidence in whichever one starts at quarterback and we're just as confident the other two will be able to contribute at another position and be ready to step in at quarterback if needed."

A year ago, the Whalers' offense produced an average of 22.9 points a game and a total of 34 touchdowns — 16 of them coming through the air with the graduated Mike Rapoza accounting for 15. The other scoring strike came eight weeks into the season when younger brother Andrew Rapoza hooked up with Mike Nunes for New Bedford's only score in an 18-6 loss at home to Dennis-Yarmouth.

Debrosse and Conde have yet to throw a touchdown pass on the varsity level, but with the Whalers having thrown at least one complete pass into the end zone in all 10 games a year ago, that could change this season if or when either one is under center.

Team speed and depth in both the offensive and defensive lines are among the strengths, and the quarterback position is one to watch with three excellent underclassmen (Chandler Debrosse, Andrew Rapoza and Eli Conde) capable of leading the attack. All three quarterbacks can throw and the offense will operate out of the shotgun formation, but coach Dennis Golden will run when and if the situation presents itself. With youth evident at several positions, the Whalers are trying to come together as a team and should get better as the season progresses.